Despite a make-up schedule that would floor many actors, Dean Chisnall tells Katherine MacAlister why he relishes his role as Shrek

They are big suede boots to fill but having been standing in them since the West End, Dean Chisnall has embraced Shrek wholeheartedly.

Although if you sat down in make-up at 4pm every day and got up two hours later bright green and resembling a troll, you’d have to be up for it. “If there’s a matinee, that’s a ten-hour stint in full costume, but otherwise it’s the best feeling in the world. It’s full-on but fun so I can’t complain,” he says.

As the only remaining, original member of the cast, Dean was delighted to be asked back to resume his role of Shrek for the tour: “It was a total no-brainer – the only consideration was whether I could go through that heat again because once the transformation is complete you’re in costume until the end of the show and it gets hot in there.

“But I do think that Shrek The Musical is a better show now than the West End version; its tighter, slicker, funnier and it has more energy, so it’s nice to take it round different parts of the country.”

Having never been to Oxford before, Dean was born in Lancashire and says his route to the theatre was “a bit of a Billy Elliot story really”.

“Well, there wasn’t much drama going on up there, so London was a bit of a gamble, although I won a place at drama school which surprised me more than anyone. I have always been able to sing though and musical theatre has always been my thing, so my parents told me to follow my dreams and to do something I enjoyed.”

Working since he left drama school nine years ago, Dean says: ”I’ve been really, really lucky, and now I’m seeing the country on tour.”

For the next eight months however by night at least Dean will be playing a grumpy Scottish romantic lead. “Scottish I can do but if Shrek had been Irish or Welsh I’d be knackered,” he laughs.

“I don’t know why everyone worries though about me doing the same show every night. It’s the role of a lifetime and I love getting up in front of 2,000 people every night and telling a story. Besides I could never sit in an office for eight or nine hours a day. I get paid to do my hobby so this is what I’ve always wanted to do, even if I do have to de-glue afterwards.”

Still, a big responsibility playing the lead? “Yes, because you have to lead on stage and off, and as it’s a young company, with only two of us in our 30s, I take it very seriously. But it means the cast have so much energy as a result and they need it. We are having a great time, put it that way,” he says happily.

“In fact, I was asked the other day what my dream role would be, and I had to say it’s this – parts don’t get bigger, so I’m very grateful.”

WIN FAMILY TICKETS FOR SHREK THE MUSICAL

Oxford Mail:

THE Oxford Mail has teamed up with Novotel, the proud official hotel partner of Shrek The Musical UK & Ireland tour, to offer one lucky winner the chance for their family to see Shrek in action, as he hits the stage at New Theatre Oxford, on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

At Novotel guests can enjoy a fairytale experience with free breakfast, kids under 16 stay for free and parents can get up to 30% off early bookings*.  
  
Book here

To stand a chance of winning a family ticket to the show, answer the following question:

Is Shrek from Scotland, England or Wales?

Send your entry by email to katherine.macalister@nqo.com by Monday, November 10, 2014

*Terms and conditions apply – the prize is valid for Shrek the Musical at the New Theatre Oxford, on Saturday, November 15, 2014. The prize is for one family ticket (two adults and two children).
The judge’s decision is final.
For more details see www.novotel.com

SEE IT
Shrek The Musical comes to Oxford’s New Theatre from Nov 12-23. Call the box office on 0844 8713020 or see atgtickets.com/oxford

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